The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published on Mondays on alternate weeks during the summer. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 4 p.m. the preceding Friday before publication.

VCSU President’s Column

Tisa A. Mason, Ed.D.
Valley City State University President

I have been thinking a lot lately about how blessed I am to be a member of the Valley City/Barnes County community and to enjoy the incredible privilege of being part of the team leading Valley City State University. The community has been so gracious in welcoming my husband, Bill, and me to Valley City. In fact, that is one of the many aspects that attracted us here—a strong “town and gown” relationship.

The term “town and gown” is often used to refer to two distinct communities: “town” consisting of the residents not affiliated with the university and “gown” referring to the university population. During the Middle Ages, academic regalia—the robes (gowns) we see at commencement—were worn throughout the year, not just at commencement.

According to Wikipedia, the academic gown proved comfortable for studying in unheated and drafty buildings. The gown also served as a social symbol as it was impractical for physical, manual work. Thus, by their distinctive clothing, the students were easily distinguishable from the citizens of the town; hence the phrase “town and gown.”

(Oh and by the way, noted historian Charles Haskins studied the letters the medieval students wrote home and noted that by and far the most common theme in the students’ correspondence consisted of them asking their family for more spending money—maybe that part is still the same!)

The initial relationship between the medieval universities (gown) and the host town were adversarial. Although even today “natural” tensions exist—such as parking that encroaches on residential neighborhoods or noise from late-night student gatherings—Valley City State University has enjoyed a long tradition of positive relations with our town, our beautiful town working together with our beloved university. In fact, that has been the case from the very beginning, when the college needed a home and the town agreed to locate the college in the city high school. Later the college would move to various locations around town, but it seems that Valley City leaders always figured out a way to hold on to and provide for its college.

Today our university still works hard to sustain the strong town/gown relationship. In fiscal year 2013, the university had an $88.3 million impact on the Valley City area! This spring the VCSU Foundation awarded $89,500 in scholarships to 21 Valley City High School seniors.

Our students, faculty, and staff come together with our town neighbors to lead positive and integrated lives. We serve together through our churches and civic engagement organizations; we grow together through programs offered by the Community School of the Arts and the Prairie Waters Education and Research Center; our students work in Valley City businesses and fulfill academic requirements with internship and practicum experiences; we lead together through the Chamber of Commerce, library, and hospital boards; and together we are building a Health, Wellness and Physical Education Center where we will have a place to gather and thrive—as a community and as individuals, as town and gown.

Not only is the Valley City town/gown relationship strong, it is also beautifully represented by the foot bridge which literally and symbolically joins city and university, town and gown.

Bill and I are so grateful for the warm welcome and genuine friendships we are forming here in North Dakota. Just a few months ago we were living and working in Kansas, but now Valley City makes us smile on a daily basis. That’s why we say “there’s no place like home” and “it’s a great day to be a Viking!”

Save the date for women’s workshop

The ACE Women’s Leadership Workshop will be held Sept. 21, 2015, at North Dakota State University. Sponsored by the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network North Dakota, the one-day workshop is open to North Dakota University System state employees free of charge. Contact Nadja Johnson at VCSU for more information or check www.ndsu.edu/diversity for details and updates later this summer.

VCSU duo in cast at Frost Fire

Alumnus Jacob Olson ’15 and VCSU student Mariah Smith, a theatre minor, are cast members in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Frost Fire Summer Theatre near Walhalla, N.D.

Based on the “Coat of Many Colors” story in the Book of Genesis, this family-friendly show features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Tim Rice. Shows are often sold out with bus tours. The production runs through July 29.

Von Hagen wins state piano competition

Tara Von Hagen, a VCSU piano student, competed in the NODAK Music Competitions, held June 24 in conjunction with the North Dakota Music Teachers Association annual conference at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She placed first in the collegiate division and received a $200 prize. Congratulations, Tara!

2nd Annual Del Tibke Memorial Golf Tournament benefiting the North American Game Warden Museum, Valley City Town and Country Club (call 701-840-0238 for details)
8:30 a.m. North Country Trail Workday, meet at Rosebud Visitor Center